The reopened Social care: funding and
workforce inquiry seeks to establish how
much extra money would need to be spent by government in each of
the next five years to counteract the impact of a shortage of
care on the NHS. Shortages in the social care workforce and what
solutions need to be found to address changes in the years ahead
will also be considered.
The inquiry was paused in March to allow the committee to
focus its efforts on the crisis posed by the outbreak of the
coronavirus. In addition to the previously announced Terms of
Reference, the inquiry will also consider what further reforms
are needed to the long-term social care funding system.
Health and Social Care Committee Chair Rt Hon MP said:
“Social care is in urgent need of reform, not only to
deliver the necessary funding, but to support our crucial social
care workforce.
“Never has this been more apparent than during the
pandemic, as social care staff work above and beyond to protect
our most vulnerable people in a hugely challenging situation,
with difficulties compounded by historical problems with funding
and workforce – we heard this loud and clear at our most recent
evidence session.
“The Committee is therefore today relaunching its inquiry
into social care funding and reform, with slightly expanded terms
of reference, and plans to begin taking oral evidence in
June.”
ENDS
Terms of reference:
- What impact is the
current social care funding situation having on the NHS and on
people who need social care?
- What level of funding
is required in each of the next five years to address this?
- What is the extent of
current workforce shortages in social care, how will they change
over the next five years, and how do they need to be addressed?
-
NEW What further reforms are needed to the
social care funding system in the long term?
Submitting
evidence:
The Committee welcomes short evidence submissions addressing the
issues raised in the Terms of Reference. The deadline has been extended to
Friday 5 June however given the constantly evolving
situation, evidence will be accepted throughout the course of the
inquiry. Details on
how to submit evidence can be found here.
